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Conservation earthworks
Controlling runoff to prevent soil erosion, safely storing and distributing water, and rehabilitating eroded or disturbed areas are key elements in the sustainable management of properties and catchments. Well designed and constructed earthworks have proven to be a cost-effective and reliable measure for soil and water conservation. These works are a sound, long-term investment for private landholders and the community who are concerned about protecting their land assets.
Soil Conservation Service is the commercial earthmoving and consulting division of the department. We have 45 bulldozers located across more than 30 centres throughout NSW. Our reputation for understanding client needs and providing realistic solutions is well known in rural NSW. Over the years, clients have greatly valued the skill level of our operators, particularly their effciency and attention to detail.
We are committed to providing quality service for the right price, operating a modern and efficient fleet of bulldozers, and making substantial investments in training to develop all of our operators to the highest standard. Our conservation earthwork services include:
Broadacre erosion control
Broad-based banks are used on farming country to intercept runoff that is flowing down paddocks to prevent significant soil movement before it starts. Their low profile allows the entire bank to be farmed, and does not restrict access around the paddock. The banks are slightly graded to carry the flow to a stable outlet. This is either a natural watercourse or a constructed, grassed waterway.
Rehabilitating eroded or disturbed areas
Overgrazing or other forms of intensive land use can result in exposure to severe erosion. These areas can be successfully stabilised through a combination of measures that may involve:
- constructing a diversion bank above the area to protect it from runoff
- deep ripping to increase water infltration
- shaping and filling to achieve stable slopes
- fertilising and sowing the area with suitable species
- fencing to exclude all stock and feral animals.
Gullying and shaping
Water flowing in a concentrated area – that is not sufficiently protected by permanent grass cover – results in the formation of gullies. Diverting the concentrated flow away from the gully line and then filling the old gully brings back unproductive areas, and improves efficiency of farming operations.
The sides of a gully can be shaped where it is too deep for filling to be practical, or if the gully still needs to carry water. By flattening the gully sides, slumping is prevented and vegetation will begin to establish on the reshaped areas, resulting in a stable watercourse.
Access tracks
Soil Conservation Service has developed expertise in the construction of access tracks to minimise environmental damage and on-going maintenance. Given our experience, Soil Conservation Service is frequently engaged by State Forests and the National Parks and Wildlife Service for track construction and maintenance.
Dams for water storage and erosion control
Farm dams for stock and domestic water supply, when located and constructed properly, greatly enhance the value and aesthetic appeal of any property. In addition to providing a reliable source of stock water, farm dams can be useful in controlling erosion:
- reducing flows by storing runoff
- trapping sediment on-site
- blocking active gullies and diverting flows to a stable area
- drowning-out active gully heads with stored water.
Lack of attention to the catchment runoff, water supply requirements, site selection, and standards for design and construction is likely to result in dam failure. Soil Conservation Service has particular expertise in locating dams to maximise water storage, field and laboratory testing to determine whether the soil is suitable, dam and spillway design and using the right construction technique for each situation.
Mine rehabilitation
Increasingly, the pressure is on extractive industries to reduce the environmental impact of their operations and rehabilitate disturbed areas. Mining companies continue to use Soil Conservation Service to design and construct erosion and sediment control works, in addition to rehabilitating mine sites.
Beach reclamation
Where development along the coast has been allowed to encroach onto beach dunes, the natural protective vegetation is often destroyed, resulting in erosion of the dunes. Soil Conservation Service has been involved in many programs to fill in blow outs and reshape eroded dunes. This work prepares the dune for planting with a cover crop to provide initial cover while more permanent species establish.
Polypipe laying
To reduce water waste and conserve underground supplies, a program of replacing open bore drains with polypipe is being implemented across NSW. We have developed efficient pipe laying techniques, used for piping bores and reticulation of stock water around farms.
Rabbit control
A critical part of rabbit control is to follow-up removal treatments with a ripping program to collapse the warrens. Soil Conservation Service bulldozers are well suited to this application.
Planning and financing your job
Our soil conservation officers and engineers ensure that the planning and construction of each job is optimal in terms of effectiveness and value for money.
Earthworks programs are often part of an overall property plan that incorporates other management issues such as land use strategies, fencing, tree planting and water reticulation. In this way, the owner is able to develop their property in an orderly, integrated way, consistent with their needs and budget.
The Rural Assistance Authority provides low-interest finance to primary producers for soil and water conservation works. With generous repayment terms, this scheme has been used to finance many jobs, allowing the client to benefit from implementing an entire works programs in one go.
Soil Conservation Service staff are familiar with the eligibility criteria and can assist clients with their loan application. With the cost of soil conservation works fully tax deductible in the year of expenditure, there may be substantial benefits for property owners investing in a works program.
Please note: Certain works may require approvals or licences from local, state or federal governments including the Department of Lands. It is the responsibility of the landholder to ascertain any such requirements and obtain any necessary approvals or licences.
